He is hopeful his daughter can serve the rest of her sentence in the UK and the Scottish Prison Service said they are considering an application for the move.

Speaking to the Mail on Sunday, Mr Reid said: "I had a very positive meeting with Kenny MacAskill and he reassured me that Scotland has no issue (with) accepting Melissa back to serve her sentence here.

"We understand the Scottish Government can't promise to magic her back home and they won't pull any strings, but it was very comforting to hear that they are not against any move."

Reid being held is in the notorious Virgen De Fatima prison on the outskirts of the capital Lima.

Peru’s prison system is so overcrowded that inmates often sleep on floors, in corridors and even toilet areas.

Clean water is a rarity and diseases such as HIV and tuberculosis are rife.

A Scottish Prison Service spokesman said: "We can confirm that we have received an application from Peru for the transfer of a prisoner."

HOPE: The family of Melissa Reid are hopeful she can serve the rest of her sentence in the UK [AP]

Last month officials at the Foreign Office claimed any transfer for Reid “would not be very quick”.

Her parents had so far held off booking a trip to Lima in August to visit their daughter for her 21st birthday in case she was moved to the UK.

Reid spent her 20th birthday last year being interrogated for eight hours by Peruvian authorities weeks after her capture.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "The Justice Secretary had a private meeting with Mr Reid.

"Prisoner transfers are a matter for the Scottish Prison Service.

"The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has responsibility for UK citizens imprisoned abroad. We have been in touch with them regarding Melissa Reid and have asked to be kept informed of developments."